LETTER : Howard out of order on Hindley

Sir: No one should be surprised that the Home Secretary has again declined to release Myra Hindley. He no doubt thinks that a majority of the nation will support him.

But no one should be surprised either, that when he announces that Miss Hindley will never be released, he is exceeding his powers. Despite being an experienced lawyer who pronounces himself the apostle of law and order, he has gone beyond the law on numerous occasions.

It should be clear to him that he cannot bind a future Home Secretary, let alone a future parliament and that he is not entitled to say that Miss Hindley will never be released. The most he could lawfully say is that she will not be released whilst he is Home Secretary. He can prevent her release during her lifetime only if his tenure of office survives her. The odds against that must be considerable.

PETER REYNOLDS

Southport